Victoria enters stage 1 of water conservation plan

Victoria officials are asking residents to conserve water now that the first stage of the emergency drought plan is in effect.

The city enacted stage 1 on Thursday in response to the Guadalupe River flow dropping below normal and will stay in stage 1 until the river rises to a normal level for 14 consecutive days.

If the river reaches its minimum level for this time of year, the city would then enter the next stage of the drought plan.

"Victoria residents should conserve water every day but be extra conscious of their water usage throughout these dryer months of the year," Public Works Director Lynn Short said.

Tips for water conservation include watering only when necessary.

To help avoid evaporation, use sprinklers that produce large drops of water rather than a fine mist. Also, turn soaker hoses so the holes are on the bottom. Watering in the early morning and late evening also helps avoid evaporation.

Water slowly to provide for better absorption, and avoid watering on windy days as well as watering the street, sidewalks or driveways.

Watering too frequently can overload the soil and encourage diseases. About an inch of water applied weekly will keep most Texas grasses alive and healthy, and raising the cutting height on your lawnmower will help grow longer blades of grass to provide shade for the root system and make the turf more drought resistant.

For more information, visit victoriatx.org and click on the link to "Tips for Saving Water."